Jr. High bound

Last Friday was the boys' last day of school. It was a hard day - meaning I cried more than usual. For some reason, Xander graduating from elementary school really hit me hard. I was depressed all day. My boys' go to a small school where the families there feel like family. I've known most of the families since Xander was in Kindergarten or first grade. Saying goodbye to some of those families was really hard. Plus my baby is going to junior high!

There was a big party at one of Xander's friends house. The backyard is awesome - complete with a bbq area, mini golf course, batting cage, tennis court/basketball court and swimming pool - plus plenty of room to roam around. The whole 6th grade was invited and everyone had a blast.

We presented Xander's teacher with thank-you presents. She's an activist so my friend Tracy made her a picket sign :) and then the class gave her a backpack with all sorts of things she might need at a demonstration. It was perfect for her! I am really grateful that he had a teacher who not only helped him learn academically but also supported him emotionally. She gave an awesome speech to the class on the last day of school. I will miss her!

The the kids got to watch a slide show on a gigantic movie screen. It showcased the kids from pre-school through 6th grade. It was bittersweet to see how much all these kids have grown. And it was fun seeing favorite teachers. The kids LOVED it.

I was so happy to see one of my favorite kids EVER at the party - Mitchell! Mitch went to a different school for 6th grade and it was so good to see him!

I was telling a friend about how depressed I was about Xander leaving the school and she said, "Give it 2 weeks."

I guess when our lives change so do we. Hopefully I'll be a rock by the time Evan graduates!

Like Stoudemire

Ben thinks if he wears glasses while playing basketball he'll be just as good as Stoudemire.

Michael gave him a pair of 3-D glasses that Ben wears all of the time.

It's an interesting look.

Thank you

I don't know how many people still read this little blog of mine, but I just wanted to use it to say thanks to a few people, without whom I couldn't have survived these last 4 months.

Jill C. - thank you so much for taking my kids home. For always laughing at my lame jokes and for being there for me. Whenever.

Kahea - for always offering your help. And for checking in on me :).

Jill L. - thank you for always saying "yes" whenever I asked. I'm so lucky to have you as a vt and as a friend.

Kim - thank you for being my last minute babysitter many times. You're the best!

Trina - thank you for taking care of Evan. For giving me advice and for understanding.

Tricia - thank you for putting up with all of those screaming fits (mine & Evan's). For always giving me an excuse to go to Sonic. And for listening to me.

Mom - thank you for being Evan's other mother. For listening to me and giving me advice. And for always being on my side.

And most importantly my husband. Who is my best friend - who always makes me laugh and understands me. Who makes me feel like I am the most important person in the world. And who will watch SYTYCD with me. :)

It's hard for me to let these people know how much I love and appreciate them - mostly because then I start crying and it's just not pretty. As I've struggled with all the changes going on I've really learned to appreciate the awesome people I have in my life. It always amazes me when someone offers to help me and doesn't make me feel guilty about it. I hope I can be that kind of friend.

Thank you.

Kindergarten Graduation (#2)

Ian and I were both able to take Thursday off from work so we could be there for Max's kindergarten graduation. As I struggle with all the emotions of working outside of the home and still trying to be the best mom I can, I am so thankful to work at a place that is so supportive when I ask for time off so that I can be there for those milestones.

As soon as Ian, Kim (Max's 2nd mom) and I walked in he started waving excitedly at us. He was beaming.
During the program the class sang songs that highlighted the different units they did throughout the year. They studied: the rainforest, planets, rocks, continents, money, U.S. history and so much more! Max started off not knowing how to read and knowing basic math facts. By the end of the year he was on his 2nd math book, reading chapter books and knows 3 hundred sight words and can spell 250 sight words. I attribute most of his success to his teacher - who encouraged him and who read with him every single school day. She's my hero.

Max & Mrs. H (his teacher). I want her to be his teacher every year! She has such a calm, sweet influence. And she makes everything fun!

Max & Mrs. M (his aide). I love her as much as I love his teacher. She was always there to help and encouraged the kids to set goals and always do their best.

One of my favorite things we got was a book where each kid in the class wrote what they liked about Max and drew a picture. Max, Ian and I had so much fun reading what all the kids wrote about Max. It's priceless.

I am so proud of Max. He has grown so much this year. I can't wait to see what he accomplishes in first grade!

Bugsy Malone

When I was little I used to dream about being a star. That and I dreamt about marrying Michael J. Fox. Alex P. Keaton. Seriously.

I remember trying out for the part of the Wicked Witch of the West when my elementary school did a production of The Wizard of OZ. Instead I was a munchkin. But one day I did get a kelly-pop for being the most energetic munchkin. Sigh. Anyhow, when Alexander told me he was trying out for the lead in the school play I tried to be supportive without getting his hopes up. Well, he got it! I was so happy and proud! Especially since I knew he had to act and sing in the the audition. The best part was that his cousin Michael got the lead in his class (the school does 2 productions of the same play - each 6th grade class does one).


The play was last Saturday. We saw Michael perform first. He was great! I loved all of his facial expressions. I was so proud of him!

Next was Xander's turn. I was so nervous! Ian's family, my family and many friends came to support him (thank you!). It made his day. I didn't realize until I saw him perform what a natural he is. He did so good. And I'm not just saying that. So many parents came up to me afterwards to tell me how great they thought he did. He was loud, expressive, funny...I could go on and on.
The best was seeing him so happy. He knew he did a good job. It was so cool to see him have a chance to shine.

That night Ian and I took him out to dinner. It was the happiest I've seen Xander in a while...which makes me think that all of the drama lately was in part due to stress about the play. In that respect, I'm glad it's over.

It was a great day! I can't wait to get the DVD of the play to watch it again.

Sucker

Ian told me this morning that he's a sucker for Max. He hangs onto Max's every word. And can't wait to hear what Max will say next. The kid has such wit. I'm not sure where it comes from, but he keeps us entertained, that's for sure.

P.S. This picture reminds me of when Ben was little and used to be obsessed with Ian's feet. He'd treat them like they were little people. He'd talk to them, cover them, try to feed them... It makes me laugh everytime I think about it.

Dramatic

It's hard getting used to the idea that this boy is going to hate me on and off for the next 4-6 years of his life. Sometimes I'm baffled and hurt by his stinging tone and accusations. Other times I try to ignore him. We have been close as long as I can remember but lately he prefers his dad over me. It's fine, really (not really). I'm wondering how I'm going to adapt to being a mother of a teenage boy. I always thought I'd be the cool mom that would take him and his friends places. Or invite them all over to watch movies. But that doesn't really work when your son won't even talk to you. hmmm.

It makes me feel like this:

Except no one has their arms around me. Btw, this is Evan getting a haircut. This happens every time.

Baby Steps

Ben's shirt really bugs me in this picture. That's what I get for not laying out his clothes. I just had to get that out there.

Max is growing up. He's slowly discovering a world outside of Ben. Last week he went to a birthday party. Without Ben. Before he left he asked, "Do you think they would care if Ben came too?" I told him Ben wasn't invited and that he (Max) didn't have to go to the party if he didn't want to. But he put on his brave face and went. I was proud of him. And he had a great time.

Today Max had a play date. Without Ben. Sadly, this is the first playdate he's had with a kid in his class all year, although he's asked for many kids to come over. But I've never followed through because he's happiest hanging out with Ben and Tanner (our neighbor's grandson). He had so much fun today and he's already asking for a playdate for next week.

Max has matured so much this year. He's went from watching Spongebob everyday to watching football, baseball or basketball. He loves to play sports of any kind - he gets up early, gets ready for school and then goes outside and shoots hoops until it's time to go to school. He still looks for Ben's approval, but he's learning to trust himself more.

and he still has the best comeback lines of anyone in our family.